Richmond School
School Departments | Health & Social Care
KS4
(Double Award Fast track) This is a nationally recognised qualification worth two GCSEs but taught in the time for one. It is graded A*A* - GG.
Health and Social Care is about health care, the care of elderly people, people with disabilities and children under 8 years. It involves a huge industry which affects us all. The NHS, for instance, is the largest employer in Europe!
There are three units in a GCSE in Health and Social Care. Units 1 and 2 are assessed by individual assignments. Unit 3 is tested by a written examination. Two thirds of the course is assessed through course-work.
Unit 1: Health, social care and early years provision
A look at how the three areas of the care industry (health, social and early years) work together to provide care for different people. You will find out about the many different jobs that are on offer in the care industry and the kind of work people must do.
Unit 2: Promoting Health and Well-being
There are many things that affect people’s health and well-being from a balanced diet and exercise to having an interesting job. You will learn how to recognise poor health and well-being and how to put it right.
Unit 3: Understanding Personal Development and Relationships
You will find out about how people change from birth to old age and what affects growth and development. You will look at the different relationships that people have, for example: family and how people are changed by the birth of a baby.
KS5
A Level Health and Social Care
Double Award
This course leads to two AS levels after one year and two A levels after two years.
Health and Social Care looks at the services provided to clients and the roles and responsibilities of workers in health services, social care services and early years (0-8) care and education. It is very firmly based on real life as we all experience it.
We take a student centred approach to learning with fewer exams and more course work than most other A levels. Of the 12 units that make up the two A levels, 8 are assessed on individual course work assignments. After being taught the basics, students gather information from a wide variety of sources then analyse and present it. The most important source of information is from real clients and workers in a vocational setting. We therefore expect all students to take part in a work placement one afternoon each week from October to February in Year 12. This might be in a nursery, day centre for people with learning disabilities or a care home.
In Year 12 the units will include: Effective Caring, Effective Communication, Health, Illness and Disease, Common Diseases and Disorders, Needs and Provisions for Early Year Clients, and Contemporary Therapies.
This course is appropriate for anyone wishing to progress to higher education, but will be of particular relevance to students ultimately wishing to work in areas such as nursing, allied health professions, social care, nursery teaching and social work.
Students who have not studied Health and Social Care at GCSE level should have no problems catching up.
Single Award
This is simply half the work of the double award A level, but in the same style and at the same level. It leads to an AS level after one year and an A level after 2 years.
Of the 6 units taken over 2 years, 4 are assessed through individual coursework assignment and 2 through external exams. As with the double award course we expect all students to take part in a work experience placement. In Year 12 the units will be Effective Caring, Effective Communication and Health, Illness and Disease.
Previous students have progressed to further study in a wide range of subjects and to careers in Health and Social Care, e.g. Nursing, Midwifery, Teaching, Social Work etc.
BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care
If you have not achieved sufficient GCSEs at Grade C to progress to Advanced Level, this could be the course for you. The BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care is a one year course which provides the underpinning knowledge and some hands on experience for progressing on to work in the health, social care or early years sectors. It also provides an opportunity to achieve the academic success needed to progress to study at advanced level.
There are no examinations as all six units are assessed through course work. The course is made up of two core units:
• Communication and Individual Rights within the Health and Social Care Sectors
• Individual needs within the Health and Social Care Sectors
Plus four specialist units:
• Vocational Experience in a Health and Social Care Setting
• Human Lifespan Development
• Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
• The Impact of Diet on Health
Each student will attend a work placement of two weeks full time in a health, social care or early years setting as part of the first specialist unit. Students go on to a range of advanced courses, working with children, care assistants, etc.
Contact Information
Mrs B Martin - bmartin@richmondschool.net or by phone on (01748) 850111
Mrs S Pearson - spearson@richmond.net or by phone on (01748) 850111